This is my creative outlet for some stitchin and some bitchin!

So apparently the theme of my summer is making two of everything! This is my second version of the Colette Moneta, and I limey this one! I made this from a striped knit I found at a store in Phoenix while visiting my sister in law, as well as a heavier weight eggplant knit from Joanns. This is a nice simple little pattern, I really like how the sleeves on this come together, you adjust the width of the sleeve after attaching them to the bodice. This is nice if you want them a little more roomy/less roomy, etc..

This pattern is clearly meant for knits! (As is they didn’t advertise the hell out of it as a knit dress, along with a book on how to work with knits!) I love knits, and the fact that this dress requires no fuss or battle with darts and boob placement, zippers, buttonholes, etc.. It really appeals to the lazy sewer in me!

The knit fabric on the bottom is a bit bulky, but I really don’t mind it with the gathers too much. It helps hide a rounder tummy if you know what I mean. I certainly see more Monetas in my future, but I do have other projects on my agenda including an entry for the state fair. Ohhh what to make?? This is the first year I have entered a garment and I am really thinking about a shirt dress as I love making them and I think the difficulty level is right on par for State Fair standards 😉 Will report back soon!!

Like this:

Okay, so I know I am on a pattern ban but since I actually got the Colette Moneta pattern earlier in the year when it first came out it doesn’t count right? Besides, a pattern made for knits- sign me up! I made this one of fabric already in my stash so it isn’t entirely made of knits. The skirt is a navy blue heavy knit material from…. I don’t know? Probably Joanns or Hancock fabrics. The top portion is a cotton red and white stripe cotton that was a remnant from a past Christmas project. Now since this is intended for knits, I made the top a bit bigger (so that I could pull it over the girls without a zipper) and I had to pinch out a couple of darts. Truth be told I should have just bit the bullet and put in a zipper, but this is technically a wearable muslin so oh well. It does need a belt so that it pulls in the bagginess but for a Fourth of July celebration I think it will work out nicely!

The rest of this dress is super simple. I included the pockets because I just like having somewhere to put my hands, pockets are so fun! The dress comes in many different variations, I just made this one simple and sleeveless and I left off the collar they include. I honestly am not too crazy about the collared version, it looks very nautical to me. And though I admit I do like nautical things, i.e. anchors, navy and white, pirates, etc… this collar just looks kind of kitschy to me. The skirt is gathered and attached directly to the bodice with clear elastic to prevent stretching out.

Please ignore my wonky hem, I need to iron this into submission… or at least try to! I am really liking this pattern, but yes it is indeed meant for knits! I a working on a second version right now that is made of all knit material and I am adding the short sleeves. I will report back soon with Moneta round two! Until then I hope you all enjoy a day of fireworks, hotdogs, hamburgers, BBQ, and stars and stripes! ‘MERICA!!!

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